NEW DELHI: Karnataka minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan tendered an apology on Tuesday following a controversy after he referred to Union minister HD Kumaraswamy as "Kaalia", which the opposition deemed a racial slur.
Though the Congress leader apologised for using the word, he defended the remarks, explaining that he has used similar adjectives to address Kumaraswamy in the past "out of affection".
"If I had called him such a word for the first time, I would have apologized. Out of affection, he used to call me 'Kulla' (dwarf), and I used to call him 'Kariyanna' (black brother). If he or anyone else is pained by it, I apologize. What’s wrong with that?" Khan said.
"I have been calling him like that from the beginning, not just today. He used to call me 'Kullanna,' and I used to call him 'Kariyanna' (referring to his complexion)," he added.
Meanwhile, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended Khan, describing his remark as a playful banter between friends and accused the BJP of trying to create controversy out of nothing.
"Kumaraswamy and Zameer Ahmed are the closest of friends. Has Kumaraswamy made any statement about this? The BJP is only trying to create controversy... Zameer has always been a key ally of Kumaraswamy," Shivakumar said.
This comes a day after Khan said, "Kaliya Kumaraswamy is more dangerous than the BJP,” which sparked severe backlash from political opponents.
The Janata Dal (Secular) launched a scathing response, calling for Khan’s dismissal from his ministerial role. In a post on X, the JDS questioned whether Congress would use similar language for other prominent party leaders.
“What is the colour of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, who is a Kannadiga? What is the colour of Priyank Kharge? What is the colour of DK Suresh?” the JDS posted.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also condemned Khan’s remark, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accusing Congress of fostering divisions. "Congress minister Zameer Ahmed calls HD Kumaraswamy 'Kaliya.' This is 'nafrat ki dukan' (a shop of hatred). First, Congress divided on caste, and now on race. Just like Sam Pitroda was promoted by Rahul Gandhi after calling South Indians 'Africans,' now Rahul will promote Zameer too,” Poonawalla said.
Though the Congress leader apologised for using the word, he defended the remarks, explaining that he has used similar adjectives to address Kumaraswamy in the past "out of affection".
"If I had called him such a word for the first time, I would have apologized. Out of affection, he used to call me 'Kulla' (dwarf), and I used to call him 'Kariyanna' (black brother). If he or anyone else is pained by it, I apologize. What’s wrong with that?" Khan said.
"I have been calling him like that from the beginning, not just today. He used to call me 'Kullanna,' and I used to call him 'Kariyanna' (referring to his complexion)," he added.
Meanwhile, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended Khan, describing his remark as a playful banter between friends and accused the BJP of trying to create controversy out of nothing.
"Kumaraswamy and Zameer Ahmed are the closest of friends. Has Kumaraswamy made any statement about this? The BJP is only trying to create controversy... Zameer has always been a key ally of Kumaraswamy," Shivakumar said.
This comes a day after Khan said, "Kaliya Kumaraswamy is more dangerous than the BJP,” which sparked severe backlash from political opponents.
The Janata Dal (Secular) launched a scathing response, calling for Khan’s dismissal from his ministerial role. In a post on X, the JDS questioned whether Congress would use similar language for other prominent party leaders.
“What is the colour of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, who is a Kannadiga? What is the colour of Priyank Kharge? What is the colour of DK Suresh?” the JDS posted.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also condemned Khan’s remark, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accusing Congress of fostering divisions. "Congress minister Zameer Ahmed calls HD Kumaraswamy 'Kaliya.' This is 'nafrat ki dukan' (a shop of hatred). First, Congress divided on caste, and now on race. Just like Sam Pitroda was promoted by Rahul Gandhi after calling South Indians 'Africans,' now Rahul will promote Zameer too,” Poonawalla said.
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